The Answer!

[mibn2cweus]

Are you unhappy and upset and believe that some important knowledge crucial to living a joyful life has been denied you? Find the missing piece of the puzzle you've been seeking all your life here

[naomi24]

Theland, then, your grandchildren will be brainwashed, and apparently you are happy with that. How very, very, sad - and how very, very infuriating!!

I wouldn't tell any child something was true unless I knew for sure it was - and whatever you say, you cannot possibly know that what you are teaching your grandchildren is true. Just because you are obsessed with your faith, does that give you free licence to screw with their minds? Children are sponges. Whatever you put into their minds they absorb - and you are responsible for the result. How do you know what effect your influence will have on their lives? How do you know what confusion you will cause to them in the future when because of a fictional god who you say demands that human beings be more than human, they battle to deny their humanity? Are you happy to shoulder that responsibility? If you are, then shame on you, and shame on the fictional god you worship. Think about it. This makes me really angry!

Hope Luna's ok.

Night everyone. x

[naomi24]

And no .... nothing is not a little frightening. Have you ever had an anaesthetic, and if so were you aware of anything at all? I've had several anaesthetics and never have been aware, and that's how I imagine 'nothing' to be. If you aren't aware, then what is there to be afraid of?

[Theland1]

Look at todays news - two kids nearly teo other kids.
Any moral compass? I think not. My family does have a moral compass, maybe not approved by you, Naomi, but it works.

[naomi24]

Theland, I don't know whether the parents of those kids have any sort of religion. Do you? Your assumption that anyone who doesn't have religion is in some way morally inferior to you would indicate that without the crutch of religion, you are incapable of making your own decisions, or of living a moral life, or of bringing your children up to know right from wrong, so I have to ask if this insatiable need for religion in your life signifies a weakness, or a failing, in you?

[naomi24]

Hello. Popped in, but no new messages, so I'll say goodnight. Goodnight. x

[Theland1]

I don't believe I have failed, but succeeded in achieving what is our very purpose - to have a relationship with God.

[naomi24]

But you haven't answered the question, Theland. Would you be capable of living a moral and respectable life without religion?

And ....... how are your injuries? Are you back at work yet?

[Theland1]

Naomi - Yes, I went back to work on Monday, but my eye is still black, and the number of people who say, "How did the other feller get on?" Sheesh!
Thanks for asking.
Did you like the big fight?
If I had more time, I was going to have China walking around the ring in something skimpy holding up the placards for the rounds! In new shoes of course!

[Theland1]

Naomi - Yes. I could live a moral and rspectable life without "religion," but that is not the object of Christianity.
The object is to live in a relationship with the person of Jesus. Morality follows that of course.

[Theland1]

P.S. - I am a better person for Christianity, but I still have lots of room for improvement - lots and lots.

[China Doll]

If the pair of you could drop aside christianity and lack of it and morality and lack of it (neither which of any of it is mutually exclusive) I'd appreciate some help with my friend.

You know I had a friend on here who's mother died suddenly and was by all accounts very healthy. He was troubled before that and he's beyond troubled now and I don;t know what to tell him. Medically I have it covered. Religiously I'm not interested in. As a human, someone who cares for another human being.... what do I have to say? I haven't suffered that sort of loss and I'm in danger of losing a friend and I don't know what to say any more.

[China Doll]

I'm sorry, that last post was harsh and uncalled for. No excuses.

My friend is in trouble and deeply wounded and I can't help any more despite how much I want to. He's taking it on board himself to blame himself without cause (I asked members of my own team initally if there was anything else and what they'd do, hence the medical aspect covered). He was already low, then this. He's my friend, I care and I (for once) am lost for words. What do I do?

[Theland1]

Without sounding blase, and not knowing the details, then in general I would say that he is loved, and valued, and gave love and value to his mother, whose life was more enriched for having such a son as him.
Despite the obvious ups and down of any relationship, including that of mother and son, the underlying value of that relationship, was the perpetual knowledge that the other was there, that both enriched the other by virtue of what they were and who they were.
Blaming oneself for failures, real or imagined, takes away from the all too real blood bond that always existed, and in honour of his mothers memory, he should never let that happen.

[Theland1]

His mother wanted for him the best, in everything, to be the best possible person he could be, and that, is still within his capability, to realise his mothers dream, by taking her blessing, and using it to motivate himself to suceed in relationships, in work, in family, and look to those who also miss this lady, whether family, siblings or friends, and carry on where swhe left off, as friend, advisor, mentor, carer, but above all, stepping into her role, as the anchor of the family and social circle.
"This is what mother would have done. This is what mother would have liked."

[Theland1]

I have suffered from depression for years.
Oh so bad at times.
If your friend, (this is all new to me), wishes to, why don't you get him to post on here, or on R & S, or B & S, and let us know, so we can talk to him also?

[Theland1]

If he did talk, you know that for starters, your fellow Sanctuarians are good listeners, and Great Heart has the right thing to say at the right time when the blues set in.

[Theland1]

I feel like a catholic tonight - full of guilt!

Here I am dog tired after a day on the ship, but satisfied, and blessed, with a family, a roof over my head, a job when others are losing theirs, and four beers next to the computer, and there is this poor guy really hurting, and if it would do any good, he could ring me up or come and have a beer, but not possible of course. So I'm OK and he is not.
Life just sucks sometimes doesn't it?

[Theland1]

China - who is your friend - an ABer?
If so, have you got a link to his post?

You say medically you have it covered - does that include grief - bereavement counselling? (Not that I'm experienced in the efficacy of such well meaning people / services).

How so "lose" a friend? Is he suicidal? I pray not.

Look, this is true. You go tell your friend, that tonight, whether he believes in it or not, your friend Theland, (he can call me Frank), is going to pray for him, and ask God that he be comforted and strengthened in his hour of need.
Now, I'm a complete stranger to this guy, but you go tell him, that even to me, he is important, and that I'm taking time out for him, because he must realise that he is unique, a one and only, and as a humanbeing he has great value and an enormous contribution to make, and if he feels better about himself, then tell him, think of all of the people that he can go on to help in his life, he, just one man, caqn make a difference to so many.
He is important, and I am going to pray for him. Honestly.

[Theland1]

Hi Luna, good to see you, even though your melancholy music was a pretty krapp intro.

Just for you, but the others can join in, here is a little something from the maestro.